Symphony of the Seas - The largest cruise ship in the world
Symphony of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, deserves to be recognized for more than just its size. It is a floating mechanical marvel which instantly became a favorite among Royal Caribbean passengers after its debut in 2018. It surpassed every expectation we had, not just because of its size and grandeur, but also because of their staff and their minute attention to detail. Here’s a little recap of our experience with RCI, and how they take cruising to the next level.
Features :
- 18 decks high – standing upright at 362 meters
- 24 guest elevators
- 20 restaurants with over 300 million menu options available.
- 6,680 passengers capacity (a floating city)
- 2,200 crew members
Accomodation :
Symphony of the Seas can accommodate 6,680 passengers in a wide range of staterooms, including luxury family suites, grand suites, and numerous other suites/lofts with floor to ceiling windows and plenty of space. RCL also has a massive suite that can accommodate 14 people, this is beautifully designed for multi-generational travelers, or families with large numbers.
For the more traditional client, there are balcony cabins with internally facing views of central park or the boardwalk, as well as the more customary outward facing ocean views.
We were lucky to get our booking confirmed at the ‘Ultimate Family Suite’. This is the first and one of its kind available exclusively onboard Symphony of the Seas (only 1 onboard per ship). It offers a child-centric design, colorful decor, and unique features not found on any other stateroom or suite onboard. While each suite has a similar concept, though, they differ in layout and offerings. The suite can accommodate up to eight people and is 1,134 square feet with a 212 square foot balcony.
The first thing we noticed when we walked into the Suite was its bright colors; neon orange, red, blue and yellow cover the walls, furniture, and decor. It was more like a two storey luxury apartment with a balcony overlooking the sea. The downstairs area features a dining room area fitted with an air-hockey table, a living room with a couch, chairs, television and a bathroom. Kids will never feel bored because the suite includes a game room with a TV, video game consoles, and lounge chairs. There is also a mini bar in the game room, so your favorite beverages and snacks are never too far away. There are small nooks beneath the stairs where kids can relax, read a book, or play with electronics.
The Ultimate Family Suite has two bedrooms upstairs, each with its own onsite bathroom. The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, a television mounted on the ceiling, a desk and vanity area, and a full-size wardrobe. The kids bedroom is next to the master bedroom and can be accessed via a regular door or a small porthole designed for kids to crawl through. One of the premiere features of the Ultimate Family Suite is the slide. Starting from the kids bedroom and ending in the living room downstairs, my kids would never stop sliding as it was more faster than walking downstairs.
It is important to note that reservations for ‘The Ultimate Family Suite’ close a year in advance; however, if you happen to be a last minute planner, then you’ll still be in surprise with other suites.
The Food :
With 20 restaurants onboard, the dining options appear to be limitless. Craving for sushi? They’ve got it.
Creamy pasta made from scratch? Roger!
Steak and lobster? Easy peasy!
No matter what your taste buds are telling you, or what kind of food cravings you have, there’s something for everyone. We ordered food or visited a new restaurant for every meal and didn’t have to repeat the meal at the same place. Each restaurant has a distinct taste when compared to the other, the quality of food was top notch.
Some of the stand out places that I highly recommend to dine at :
Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine :
Get ready to go down the rabbit hole at this two-story restaurant loosely based on Alice in Wonderland, with a molecular-style menu full of theatrical dishes like deviled eggs served under a smoking glass dome.
It’s not just about flavor; it’s a mix of plating that makes you wonder what you’re going to taste, atmosphere that transports you to another universe, and ingenuity that will redefine your idea of what food is capable of.
Dishes here are designed to tantalize your taste buds and present a visual feast.
The menu is divided into five natural elements (Earth, Sea, Fire, Ice and Sun), each of which captures the themes of that element: if you love spice and smoky flavors, opt for something from the Fire section, like the Buffalo chicken eggs or the crispy Shrimp kataifi with scotch bonnet pepper.
If you’re in the mood for something chilled and refreshing, try the red and white Tuna sashimi or the Oceanic citrus with yuzu granite from the Ice section. You’ll find the heartiest options in the Sea and Earth sections, like Liquid lobster served with bone marrow and caviar, branzino prepared with tamarind spice emulsion, and Berkshire pork belly paired with apples and cracklin.
150 Central Park :
This sleek and modern fine dining restaurant serves everything with class and elegance. Each dish spotlights locally sourced ingredients harvested at the peak of their season. Think palate-pleasing apps, elevated classic entrees, and a range of desserts you should definitely save room for.
And if you’re craving a craft cocktail or a glass of wine, you can find something delicious to toast with on the enormous drink list. If you’re a seafood lover, try the Pan-seared halibut. It comes in a rich saffron and truffle hollandaise with warm potato salad and mesclun leaves.
Jamie’s Italian :
The atmosphere here is that of a modern farmhouse, with sausages hanging from the ceiling and a chalkboard covered in quotes. The cuisine is crafted by one of Britain’s most famous chefs known as ‘Jamie Oliver’.
You’ll find handmade pastas and planks with cured meats from Italy. For seafood lovers, you can try Jamie’s famous prawn linguine, tossed with garlicky prawns, vine-ripe tomatoes, shaved fennel, saffron, chili and arugula.
Hooked Seafood :
Delicious oysters, grilled salmon, delectable lobster, and a host of other fish are on display in Hooked’s menu.
And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of fish; there are surf-and-turf options available to satisfy steak and chicken lovers.
Izumi Hibachi and Sushi :
From delicious sushi rolls to fresh sashimi and nigiri, Izumi serves up an exotic Asian-inspired dining experience. No matter what you order, you’re in for a far out, Far East feast filled with incredible flavors from Tohoku to Tokyo. We left this specialty restaurant with happy bellies and full of smiles.
If you’re dining with your kids then ask for a ‘kids menu’. It’s got plenty of smaller-sized versions of Izumi’s sushi, tonkotsu ramen, and even teriyaki.
Windjammers :
This is a buffet, and it provides the most convenient way to grab food on the go and to customize your meal! The morning is filled with egg stations and continental breakfast options, while the evening is filled with cheese, meat, fruit, and salad stations.
The seven neighborhoods we visited :
The Symphony of the Seas has seven neighborhoods: Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Entertainment Place, Pool and Sports Zone, Youth Zone and Vitality Spa & Fitness Center. Each neighborhood has a distinct theme that serves as a landmark for easy navigation.
Central Park :
A peaceful, romantic path through the center of the ship with specialty dining, shopping, and live music.
The park has more than 20,700 lush tropical plants, as well as winding pathways and benches.
Boardwalk :
The area is inspired by both the seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island. It features a sprawling sports bar and arcade called Playmakers.
Royal Promenade :
The heart of the ship, Royal Promenade is where vacationers first step foot on board for an introduction of great proportions. This neighborhood is at the center of it all, bustling with parades, theme parties, eateries, retail shops, and bars and lounges.
Don’t Miss :
- Bionic Bar, the bar with a twist has two robotic bartenders shaking things up and mixing a variety of drinks made to order.
- The Rising Tide Bar – the world’s first moving bar at sea – transports guests enjoying their cocktails between the Royal Promenade (deck 5) and Central Park (deck 8) on an eight-minute ride.
- Dining options include Sorrento’s Pizzeria and Café Promenade.
Entertainment Place :
I would have to dedicate a whole blog just to the quality of entertainment aboard the Symphony of the Seas. Entertainment Place is filled with life and energy day and night. Whether it is joining in on the new epic, glow-in-the-dark laser tag battle or ice skating at a full-scale ice rink, this vibrant neighborhood features everything from late-night dancing to after-hour comedy shows.
Don’t Miss :
- Seating 1,401 guests, the Royal Theater is home to two headline shows: a bigger than ever production of Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hairspray and Flight: Dare to Dream, a Royal Caribbean original production that brings guests on a thrilling journey through time chronicling humanity’s fascination with flying.
- Studio B showcases the original ice skating extravaganza named 1977, which follows Tempus, the time-traveling, dimension-jumping hero. He is called to London, England to recover Her Majesty’s Crown Jewels in time for the famous Silver Jubilee. The venue also hosts the new glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure, Battle for Planet Z.
Pool and Sports Zone :
An ample playground with a combination of relaxing and adrenaline-inducing experiences, this neighborhood is home to five types of pools and a lineup of the most active adventures on Symphony of the Seas.
Youth Zone :
From adventurous tots to teens, young travelers can dive into the widest array of dedicated spaces and activities offered by the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program. Kids from babies to teens have their own clubs here.
Don’t Miss :
- Royal Babies and Royal Tots is the cruise line’s fully-staffed nursery, where children can be dropped off in the care of Royal Caribbean’s trained professionals, and also is the space for various playgroups.
- Royal Caribbean teen-only spaces, Fuel Disco and The Living Room, as well as a spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues, give teens the freedom and opportunity to find new friends while on their cruise vacation.
Vitality Spa and Fitness :
Peaceful spa and treatment rooms, as well as large gym facilities are available for those who prefer to maintain their bodies while on vacation. The relaxing getaway is where guests can put in for some “me time” and maintain their healthy lifestyles.
The Vitality Spa Includes a Thermal Suite, featuring heated ceramic loungers, saunas and steam rooms; more than 50 facial and body services in various treatment rooms, including the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, acupuncture and medi-spa services.
Tweens and teens have a dedicated spa of their own at the Y Spa, in which to enjoy tailored services, from manicures and pedicures to mother/daughter and father/son massages.
Final Thoughts :
The Symphony of the Seas is, without a doubt, stunning and luxurious. From the moment we stepped onboard and to our beautiful Ultimate Family Suite, the experience has been breathtaking. Every room, restaurant, bar, and activity area has been meticulously designed to be sleek, modern, and welcoming.
COME SEEK – This is RCI’s tagline, and the best way to conclude the blog would be by keeping this tagline in heart. It embodies their very essence – adventure and discovery. Cruising with RCI is more than just a week at sea; it’s a week of discovery and exploration, both on and off the ship. There’s something for everyone, no matter what your age or interests are.
Come seek and go back with a new symphony to your life.
